Second World War
In Second World War the unit, part of the regular army, was stationed in Egypt and designated the Cairo Brigade was renamed 29th Infantry Brigade on 20 September 1939, in October 1939 it was redesignated as 22nd Infantry Brigade. On 14 July 1940 a new 29th Independent Infantry Brigade Group was formed in Great Britain from regular army infantry battalions. It was successively under command of 12 Corps, West Sussex Division, 4 Corps and South Eastern Command before passing to War Office Control on 7 May 1941.
The brigade, under command of Brig Frank Festing, led the invasion of Madagascar by Force 121 on 5 May 1942, it left Madagascar for two weeks in East Africa in late August 1942 and finally departed on 16 October 1942 for South Africa then after 2 months departed for India arriving 26 January 1943 and coming under command of Maj Gen Frank Festing's 36th Indian Infantry Division where it was trained in amphibious assault operations. It entered Burma on 12 February 1944.
It remained in 36 Division, redesignated British 36th Infantry Division on 1 September 1944, for the rest of the campaign, returning to India in June 1944 before flying into North Burma in August 1944 and advancing south to Mandalay. Throughout its time in 36 Division it was commanded by Brig Hugh Stockwell. It returned to India in May 1945.
Officially recognised battles:
- North Arakan 1 January – 12 June 1944
- Mandalay 12/13 February – 21 March 1945
- Rangoon Road 1 April – 6 May 1945
Read more about this topic: 29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
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